Automatic fire-protection signal system.



J. E. SHEPHERD. AUTOMATIC FIRE PROTECTION SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.19, 1910.

1 ,056,459. Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

IM'QEITE (fob/z E lsfigafierd.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ELDON SHEPHERD, or FLUSHING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR To AUTOMATIC FIRE PROTECTION COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

.fl'romamc FIRE-PROTECTION SIGNAL SYSTEM Specification: of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18,19 3.

Original application filed June 20, 1908, Serial No. 4111827. Divided and this application filed November 19, 1910'. Serial No. 593.141.

In all whom it may conecm Be it known that l, John 1). Snnrumm. a citizen of the United htates.- residing at Flushing, in the eonnty of Queens and Stateh f it (rpm-r11] ob eet to )rovitle im-- prorements applicable to systems fo automatic fire alarm signaling, manual alarm signaling, or a eombination of the two.

It has heretofore been .to some extent the practice to provide a manual lire alarm sig naling system eomprising. a master trans mitter loeated at some suitable'poiut, and connected in a signaling eireuit with a supervisory station, usuallyat some distauee therefrom, and to arrange auxiliary boxes at ditl' erent points within the area to be afl'orded protection, sueh auxiliary boxes when tat-tuate'd serving merely. to elose an electric circuit, including master-box eontrolling meelianism, \vhieh, when energized. serves to actuate the master transmitter, and occasion it. to transmit in the signaling circuit;- but sueh systems as heretofore. praetised have been open to objeet ions in that. the auxiliary eireuit and boxes were not under test and might be,so designed as to' leave the area sup 'iosedly proteeted without means of tire alarm transmission, without any supem-iising authority becoming aware of the failure of the apparatus. Furthermore, it has heretofore been suggested to employ a tire deteeting and signal initiating system comprising a piping installation, preferably of small diameter, containing air maintained under atmospherie pressure by the relief of a eonstantly-open vent, such piping, closed at one end-and extending throughoutthe area to be proteete-d and at its open end eommunieating with a pressure-respmisire derire eapable of (losing a circuit to initiate a bell signal upon a sudden inerease of pressure due to sudden heating of the piping, but sueh system is likewise disadvantageous in that the detector piping may be brolten or eut in two, and

knowledge of the supervising authorities.

Among the objeets ot' the present in\'ention are to provide an auxiliary box" tir alarm telegraph s \'steln in whit-h the auxiliary eireuil is untler test: to proride sueh asystem in whit-ll the failure ot the auxiliary eireuit will result in theinitiation of a trouble-signal distiuetire from a tire alarm signal; to provide supervision for the auxiliary systeur through the. tire alarm telegraph system itself: toproride an improved and highly sensitive heat deteetor system and improved means for -rnaintaining normally atmospherie pressure within the.system at all t mes while insuring 'maxi'mum pressure etlit'ieney within the system under undue renditions of heat. sueli as those oeeasioned by tire; to proride'for eonslantsupervision of the eontinuity ol the deteetor piping system and portions of the wiring of the auxiliary alarm eireuit. in sueh niauner that the signal transmitted upon the rupture of the piping will be-di'stinetire from the alarm transmitted upon the aetuation of the system bylirta and further to provide most etl'eet ire and 'eertain serriee 't'or insuring prompt. transmission of a tl.tt' til e alarm signal to suitable supervising authorities in the event of the oeelurenee of the ll bjects of the present invention will beeome apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the following deseription taken in eonjunetion with the aeeonnmnyiug drawings wherein is diagrammatieally illustrated an embodiment of the invention.

Figure l is a general diagrammatie view; aml Fig, l is a detail of the illustrated pressure-responsi\e deriee.

In the illustrative emlmdiment of the invention herein shown is provided in general a tire alarm telegraph system comprising the potentially'aetire transmitter 'l, and a suitable signaling eireuit therefor inelndiug the eentral station reeorder ll. Auxiliary boxes or signal initiators, A, are distributed throughmit the area, surh auxiliary boxes being arranged .in a loeal auxiliary eireuit; normally energized and ineluding means manually restraining the transmitter 'Vl adapted. when the auxiliary boxes are aetuated to condition the master transmitter 'l for fire alarm signaling operation, the arrangement providing for partial operation of said transmitter T to transmit telegraphically a trouble signal in the event of a mere break of the auxiliary circuit.

The heat detecting system shown in general comprises a pressure-responsive device I and a piping system connected therewith, extending throughout the whole or part of the protected area, so arranged that under certain conditions of heat the medium within the piping connections occasions a change of ressure in the responsive device, P, sutlicie t to actuate such device to do useful work. The detecting piping 1 2 is constantly supervised as to its continuity by inclusion in a closed, energized circuit, and, preferably, as a part of the electric circuit in whichthe auxiliary boxes, A, are con tained, so that supervision of the auxiliary circuit constitutes supervision of the continuity of the heat detecting-system. The arrangement provided 'is preferably such that in the event of detinergization of the auxiliary circuit, as by the breaking of a wire or the failure of the source of current supply in said auxiliary system, the transmitter is caused to send a signal which is readily distinguishable from a true fire alarm. Furthermore, the association of-the systems is'such that the control of the properly constituted fire alarm initiating devices is absolute and occasions the transmission of a desired true fire alarm.

Referring now to the specific showing of the drawing, the transmitter T is diagrammatically shown as a clockwork box of the normally-wound type, typifying any potentially-active transmitter, involving a number wheel, 10, for occasioning a plural-impulse signal several times repeated, said wheel preferably having between the first and second number, or toothseries, a projection, 11, and the wheel coacting with the normally closed circuit-breaking switch 12. A controlling wheel 13 is provided with two peripheral notches, 1313, and is ar ranged to rotate coincidentally with the rotation of the wli'ccl 10, and is also arranged to be normally locked against movement by engagement ofa lever 1% with the notch 13'. '15 indicates transmitter-controlling electromagnct, thiarmature whereof is carried by lever l-l. so that the transmitter is restrained only while the electro-resp onsive nmgnct is energized. A switch controlling arm 17 is provided to rotate coincidentally with the wheel 13, and is arranged-in respect. to two circuit-imlking switches, 18 and 15), to close them both just as the second notch iii of the wheel 13 comes into position for engagement with the lever 14, and then to pass by such switches if the armature remains free.

The switch 12 normally closes a telegraph signaling circuit 20, including asource of mg piping extending throughout the protected area and responsive means actuated to do useful work by changes of pressure in the piping due to sudden or dangerous heat. In the htat detecting system herein shown, the pressure-responsive device P may conveniently comprise a receptacle 25, having one face formed by a diaphragm 26, provided with small vent openings 27, arranged merely to permit slow passage of air into or out of the receptacle to compensate for gradual changes in temperature and barometric pressure, but arranged to bulge outwardly and have its orifice closed upon a sudden increase of pressure within the receptacle 25. Constructions subserving this end are many and will readily occur to those skilled in the art, but the showing discloses a highly sensitive organization for the purpose, in which the diaphragm 26 is underlain by a second diaphragm 28 having therein an orifice 29 preferably non-registering with the orifice 27 in the outer diaphragm, so that the air passage through the two diaphragms is somewhat tortuous, and sensitiveness is further increased by the provision of a loose paper disk or washer, 30, interposed between the two diaphragms. Obviously slow and gradual increases and decreases of pressure within the receptacle 25 above or below atmospheric pressure result in the slow passage of air through the tortuous passage provided through the diaphragm valve thus provided, without occastoning movement of the diaphragms, but.

.a con'iparativcly sudden or violent increase in pressure within the receptacle, such as is.

occasioned by a sudden rise in temperature due to tire, instantly affects the inner diaphragm and causes the paper washer to seat against the orifice of the outer diaphragm, so sealing the relief way and causing the diaphragms to bulge outwardly together.

Such movement of the diaphragms acts upon a lever 31, pivoted as at 32 upon the casing, and preferably provided with an aperture-sealing disk 33 at such point that the outward pressure of the diaphragm26 causes the vent aperture 27 to be sealed from the outside. Movements of the lever 31are utilized i n doing work which will be here after described.

The heat detecting piping system, p, comprises a pipe which may be of very small diameter and correspondingly small bore, extending throughoutthe area supervised, and preferably at both ends communicating with the receptacle 25, one extremity of the piping being electrically insulated as at 34 from the receptacle. The heat detecting ri o piping p is preferably inrhtded as a part of the itllXllittl) (-trentt tor the transmitter T norn'ially eoutroliing the t-leetrontaznet 15 and sneh eireuit is maintain d under test.

35 indieates a loeal souree of current supply for the auxiliary eireuit connected to the auxiliary hox whirh preferahly has for the purposes of the full emhodinient of the present invention two se s of eireuitlireaking switehm it? and 3h respeetiveiy, arranged for manual opt-ration ainntltane- Utlfiiy to hr alt' the re peetire eireuita, the switel 3T hoiny; eonnuetetl in a. wire 25o \Vlil l't leads from the hattery 5.) to the innulated end of the piping 1. the normal aux-- iliary rireuit thenee rontinuin; throughout the entire pipin affattnt and the slltll ot' the prwaure t'hatnher to the lower leat' ot a no]? of falat' alarm untler eertain eon litions of operation of the system tltht'llllttl. a're eon net-ted as t'ollt'iws: The awiteh lt-t ia eonneeted in a wire. 47. whieh eonin'ets one leg of eireuit it! through the eireuitt hrealter 1H of the auxiliary hox i\. and the awiteh iii) to magn t terminal [3. while the retnainiaig switeh lit is ermn eted in a wire lit. whi h extende to and is eonne 'ted with the hin l ing poat ii of the tranamittei eontrolling magnet 155.

it will he oltery-ed with respeet to the heatalt-teeting ayatem that alow rises or falls in the prt sure within the system due to norlnal thanges in temperature or haronietrit' pressure within the area prote tetl oeraaion eomparati ely v-low moyentents ot' the air to maintain he medium within the syatenrah Nays at atmo-pherie presmre. the diaphragm valve arrangement vserving to permit Slit'll *ltreatltitig" t1 pasaap'e' of air to or from the system as, is neveeaary to maiir tain the desired 'etptililn-ium ot' prev'sltl'e 'iihout the same. It. however. heat is applied to a portion of the leteetor pipin system. as hy the pt'trt'llt't' of a eontlagration in the area proteetedmt Filltltltlt impuls of pro nrt= i ooeasionetl in the \\tem whieh i eunznunirated to th diaphragm arrangement and instantly (lt'Qt the relief orifiee and eanses the diaphragm arrangementto hulge outwardly. moving lever 31 and openmg the switches 3) and 39'. the continuity of the (arr-nits for the eonlhis destroys i trotting magnet in of the transmitter, thereby freeing the artnatnro which is springretracted, and frees the transmitter motor for operation. As under such conditions nothing; intervenes again to energize the magnet 3; while the switches 39 and 39 are held open, the transn'iitter goes through its full cycle of operation and the Wheel 10 upcrate, upon the :nyi' 12 to transmit its full round or complete signal to the recorder R over the telegraph eir uit 530. If. however, the rupture t-ttttt's in tho auxiliary circuit alone. only a tronhle alarm is transmitted. For exumplt: in the event that the heat-deteetitzg piping ayatem p is ruptured at a point tnatlted X. the auxiliary eirenit is interrupted and the relay lit heeomes def-nerized, freeing the tranxmitter wheel for opration as heretofore tlt'RCI'ibt'tl, but now when the wheel i rot atetl a third of its cycle \entting its nnmher signal hut once. the rise ll of the wheel I breaks the, eircuit through the \\ltrlt 1'2. and at the same time the oper ating arm 17 elowa the rwitehea l8 and If), just as the Het'ontl notch 13" in the wheel 13 eemw opposite the armaturu-iarrying lever 11. (llosure of the mitt-hes l8 and If ocea- .-ion the energizat ion of the magnet 15 from the hattery it through a Snlwidiary or emergent-y eireuit a l'ollowa: one line wire 20 "ii. (int-hiding 1S. 3H. and 39) t5 -49 tinelntlittg 15)), other line wire 20, haek to it. so that the magnet 15. ret' nergzizeth attraet it.\ armature and eause the lever 14 to engage the soeoml nott-h of wheel 13. and therehy top the aetiyity ol' the transmitter 'l. ()hriously. it' either switeh 3% or 39' he now aetuated. it will ln't'tlk the tratr-tnittet= eontrolling auhaitliary t-ir 'uit and again free the tranonitter for further operation to tran-mit the halanee of its \ignal. and either manual hox or the initiator ot' the heat deter-ting system will. when aetuateth hreak snelt t-irt-uit so that at the eent'ral station the reeeipt ot' the nnnter-hox signal onet. only tran mitte l may he ('()llt lt'tlttl as a trouhle signal. a reeeipt of said numher t\\'i -e or more tranwnitted may he ennstttted as a tire alarm.

ln ltriet' resume it may he pointed out that the prt--ent \wtem pro idea (and surh pro- \'i ion i helieyetl to he new) a fire alarm telegraph ay tem in \\'ltlt'l] the master transmitter ir tamtrolletl hy an auxiliary eireuit un r te t. andthat the arrangement is Sll(ll that t'ailure of the auxiliary test circuit titzlV result in the tranonission hy the master tranmuitter of a trouhle signal distinguishahle from a trite tire alarm signal. leaving the ttammitter in eontlitiotr for further transmiwion ot' a true fire alarm in the event of turthe' aetnation. Further proviaion is lHiltlt (and it is helieyed to he new) of an itlllttlhpltttl heat detecting system wherein the detertor is at.hoth ends open to a pressure indicating device, and in such system is embodied also a structure permitting the normal maintenance of atmospheric pressure within the system but hermetically closing upon the sudden rise of pressure within the system to secure maximum etticiency in indicating sudden rise in pressure, such system further providing for the electrical supervision of the continuity of its heat detecting piping as part of a circuit under test.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in the system in its physical embodiments without departure from the spirit and essence of the invention. and it will be understood that Wide variations may be made from the speeilic embodim nt herein by those skilled in the art in the application of the teachings of this invention to ditl'erent forms of heat'detecting systems. telephone systems, and telegraph systems heretofore known and hereafter evolved.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Let. ters Patent. is:

1. In a tire protection signaling system, a telegraph systen'i comprising a signal transmitter having a sing e signal Wheel and a suitable circuit. and an auxiliary system comprising a local source of current sup ply. a circuit therefor. auxiliary boxes for varying the condition of said circuit, to ow casicn the said transmitter to send by its single wheel a true fire alarm, and means for occasi'oning said signal wheel to transmit in the signal circuit a signal distinctive from a true lire alarm upon rupture of said auxiliary circuit.

2. In a fire protection signaling system. a telegraph system comprising a potentially active signal transmitter having a single signal \vheel. adapted for partial operation to transmit one signal and for other operation to transmit a distinguishable tire alarm. an auxiliary system normally energized and containing means for normally restraining the transmitter t'rom operation, circuit breaking signal initiating means for releasing said restraining means to permit the transmitter to elicit its fire alarm operatirn. and means controlled by the transmit ter and the signal initiating means for limiting the operation of the transmitter to a partial operation upon the break of the ItUI mallv energized auxiliary circuit. said means being disabled by the circuit breaking om ration of the signal initiating means.

3. In a tire protecting signaling system. a pctentiallv active master signal transmitter.

a circuit tlerel't r. a source of current supply for said cir uit and a signal anism. he said transmitter providing a (onv trolling magnet arranged when energlzetl to restrain the transmitter against operarerci ing meehi l lion, and signaling mechanism to transmit l one character of signal when partly opert ated. and a ditl'erent; signal when fully opl erated, a locally energized normally closed circuit. including said transmitter controlling magnet. mean automatically operable upon the dt'renergization of said normally closed circuit for establishing a subsidiary l circuit energized from a different sourpe of current supply through said transmittert controlling magnet after a partial operation I of the signal wheel. and signal initiating I auxiliary boxes including switching mechal nism controlling both such circuits by which f the transmitter-controlling magnet may be l energized.

l 4Q In a fire protection signaling system. a l signaling circuit including a source of ('111' l rent supply. a signalrecei ing device. and a pctentiall activ master transmitter eomprising signalirg mechanism. adapted to t'ansmit one signal when partially operated aml a diii erent signal when fully up ended. a tntrolling magnet. means for re straining or stopping said transmitter when the magnet is energizet'l. a normally en er gized local circuit for said magnet. a subsidiary circuit for said magnet, n rnially deenergized; inc-ans for causing the energize tion of said sul'isidiary circuit in the GVG-llil of a break in the normally energized circoil. and signaling means for breaking both the normally energized and the subsidiary circuit coteniporaneously.

5. In a tire protection signaling system. a potentially active signal transmitter. a suit-- able signaling circuit. therefor. means for controlling the operation of said transmitter edmprising an electromagnet adapted to restrain or stop th transmitter when ener gized. two independent sources of current supply for said electromagnet. a normal cir cuit. normally closed: including one source of current supply and the i'I'HTlSllllittVflOll trolling magnet. a subsidiary circuit. source of current supplv and the eleetromagnet. subsidiary circuit connections. normally open. for connecting the electromagnet with the source of current supply for the signal ing reuit. and means tor auton'iatically clo ing said open circuit connection after a partial operation of the transmitter in the event rt' rupture of the normally closed cir cuit only.

(3. In a fire protection signaling system. a master transmitter potentially active. :1 suitable energized signal circuit therefor. a controlling magnet arranged when enerl gized to restrain or stop the activity of the l transmitter. a normally closed locally ener l gized circuit for said magnet, subsidiary circuit connections for said electromagnet, f normally open, and adapted when closed to connect said electron'iagnet for energization i by the source of energy of the signaling circnit'. means for closing the normal opening of said circuit connections when the ran mitter ha cll'e ted a partial opt-ration, a lltllls iiitltl' signalinitiaiing means coni- ])l'l- IltI switching mechanism tll'lil'igjtll to l r-cali iv. the n rmal and sub idiary cirtlllt conn L-ctions.

T. in a tire protection signaling system. a potentially a tii'c -i;;nai transmitter, a suitablc ignaling iircui'. lhcielol'. means tor contr lling hr operation of said tran mitto ::1iii;l'i ll21t1|lelclll'z-lilngutt adapted to restrain or lop tbctransmitter when energized. two ir'lcptlhlclit source of urrrnt supply for said elc lromagnet. a normal circuit no mally closed. including one source oi current supply and th transmitter control ing' ioagucl. a subsidiary circuit, nor inaliy t irt'lt. including the other source of current supply. and said electromagnet, means for automati ally closing said subsidiary circuit in the event of a break in the normally closed circuit. and means for cotemporaneously breaking hoth the normal and subsidiary" circuits H. In a. tire protection signaling system, a potentially a tive transmitter, a suitable signaling circuit therefor, controlling means for said transmitter comprising an electromagnet adapted when energized to .restrain or stop the transmitter, a normal circuit for said magnet including a source of current supply, a normally open subsidiary circuit for said transmitter including an independent source of current supply. m ans for antomatically closing said sub idiary circuit in event of rupture in the normal circuit, means for initiating a signal when said subsidiary circuit is closed. and means for releasing the transmitter comprising the switching mechanism for cotemporaneously breaking the normal aml subsidiary circuits for the transmittcr-controlling magnet.

9. In a tire protection signaling system. the combination of a signaling circu t, a transmitter therein, a "ontrolling magnet for the transmitter, an auxiliary'circuit for the controlling magnet operatively engaging Maid magnet, another circuit for said magnet, normally open, and means to close said other circuit for said magnet to again energize it upon rupture of the said auxiliary circuit 10. 1a a fire protection signaling system, the combination of a signaling circuit, a transmitter thcrein, a. controlling magnet for the transmitter, an auxiliary circuit for operatiuily energizing the controlling magnet, and means.controlled by the transmitter to establish another circuit for operatively energizing said magnet upon rupture of the said auxiliary circuit.

11. In a the protectionsignaling system,

the combination of a signaling circuit ineluding a. main battery, a transmitter therein. a controlling magnet for the transmitter, an auxiliary circuit provided with a source of curient supply, and means controlled by the transmitter to establish another ircuit for the said magnet, including the main battery, upon rupture of the auxiliary Cir cllit.

11!. in a tire protection signaling system, a heat detecting system comprising iiiping extending throughout an area to be pro teeted, and containing heat expansive iluid under atmospheric pres ure, means subject to pressure in the pipe, for initiating a signal upon rapid increase of pressure within the pipe, and means for atiording communication between the pipe and the outer air, arranged for the relief of slow increase or decrease of pressure within the piping, and. for closure upon the sudden increase of pressure within the piping.

ill. In a tire protection signaling system, a heat detecting system comprising piping extending throughout an area to be protected, a 3)ressure-responsivc apparatus communicating therewith comprising a diaphragm provided with a vent open to the atmosphere when the diaphragm is under normal stress, means for closing said aperture upon sudden increase in iressure with in the responsive device, and means associated with said diaphragm for initiating a signal upon movement of said diaphragm under suddenly increased pressure.

it. In a tire protection signaling system, a heat dete ting system comprising piping extending throughout the protected area, a part providing a rent for permitting slow balancing of pressure upon opposite sides thereof without change in its position, means for clcsing said vent upon sudden change of pressure within the piping. aml means responsive to such change of pressure within the piping system for initiating an alarm.

iii. In a tire protection signaling system, a heat detecting'systcln comprising a piping extending throughout a protected area, a pressure c iamiier into which both ends of the piping open. the ends of the piping oeing insulated from each other. a inu'maily c sed electric circuit including said piping. and means for initiating a signal upon the rupture of said circuit.

Hi. In a fire protection signaling system, the combination of a transmitter, a signaling circuit therefor, an auxiliary circuit. operativcly energized transmitter controlling n mus in said circuit. means operating antoinaticallv to establish another circuit for operativcly energizing said controlling means upon rupture of said auxiliary circuit, and h 'at-res mnsive means governing both said circuits 'or the controlling means.

1?. la a tire protection signaling sy tem, a heat detecting system eomprising piping extending throughout the protected area, a

iwp nsive part movable under change oi" pressure due to the application of heat in the piping system. a potentially active sig- 1 temporaneous peration of the auxiliary and ual transmitter. a suitable Mgnaling circuit therefor, meana f r ontrolling the operation of said signal transmitter (Otllptlr-itlg an electrmnaguct normally restraining the transmitter while energized, and normally included in an energized circuit comprising a portion of the piping system. a normally open subsidiary circuit for energizing said magnet when closed. means for closing said Subsidiary circuit upon the rupture of the normal circuit, and meam associated with the responsive part of the heat detecting ayatem for operation upon movement of the said responsive part (Ulla ((1 by application of heat. to the piping system, arranged to i alarm, and means controlled by Silltl rcapondisconnect said transmittencontrolling mag net from all of Its energizing ('lI'('l1lti lt- In a fire protection signaling system,

the combination of a signaling circuit ini eluding a source of current supply, a transmitter therein, a controlling magnet for said 1 transmitter. a normally energized local anxiliary circuit. for said magnet, subsidiary circuit, connections for bridging said magnet, across the signaling circuit, switching means for controlling said snlwidiary air-- cult connectton operable by the tramu'ntter. and signal initiating m anav adapted for cosulmidiary circuits.

li in a fire protection signaling system. a heat detecting -y tem. comprising piping extending throughout a protected area, and a responsive part movable under change of pressure due to application of heat. to the piping system. and a normally closed and energized electric circuit in luding said piping. a circuit excluding aid piping. a Fignal transmitter operatively associated ith both said circuits. responsive to rupture of said piping-iucluding circuit to initiate an alarm and responsive to rupture of both said circuits to initiate a di tiuguishahle JOHN ELDOX SIIEPIHJRI).

In the prwence of-- Roman L. Mcliluior, Srsn: E. Emma. 

